The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-03-12

|
o. He is her perfect ideal-tall dark and
handsome, in the style of Spanish knight
and with smile that is fascination itself,
A telegraphlc glance from Stella's laugh
Ing eyes across the room brings a swift
rose-6ush to Kathie's exqulsitely fair
cheeks; but she looks back again TO those
other eyes==so dark and deep and eloquent
ly beautiful-that have already enthralled
her, and forgets all else.
''He will break her heart before he leaves
here" mutters Sidney Hurst to himself,
watching the two singing together at the
piano half hour later. Giles going about
it in the old Regulation way. But there's
no use in trying to give her hint of warn
ing. What woman would heed it, with
those Spanish eyes of his looking love
straight into hers9 No, no; as well leave
her to her fate. It's cursed shame,
though'-his keen, yet pleasant blue-gray
eyes kindling with sudden anger. "Such
sweet, pure, innocent face She has--spme
pride and spirit there, too, if I'm not mis-
taken. All, welTr'-with a half, stihed
sigh under his heavy blonde mustache-
'why should ] carG? 1t is no affair. of
mine"
A dark shadow drifts over the strong,
unreadable blonde face of Sidney Hurst as
he thus watches her.
Perhaps is thinking of the few care
less words, the passing, Indifferent little
smile.which had been all the notice she had
taken of his presentation to her,perhaps he
is thinking of the gulf of years that lies be-
tween her age and his.
Whatever it may be, it soon passes away,
and he mingles, pleasantly with the guests,
proving himself an exceedingly attractive
man the moment he cares to be so. If
thereafter he feels any particular interest
in Kathe, or the fate he has predicted for
her, lie does not make it known by word or
deed.
A month passes away with no abatement
of Eugene Mortimer's devotion to Kathle
Leigh, or in her shy, but very evident in
fatuation for him.
She has met her hero on the very thres-
hold of her new existence, and the roman.
tic girl is fiVing in a perfect dream of hap
piness,
1t is at this time that Hurst returns one
evening from walk to the village mile
below, his fine, blonde face wearing a
strange expression as he strides, with an
air of grim determination, through the cool
shadows of the willow walk.
1t is quite dark there now, save for the
faint starlight that comes shiyerfng down
through the willow boughs-so dark that
Hurst's keen eyes do not see the two figures
walking there until he is SO near that he
could almost touch them with his hand,
Tie man is speaking in low, persuasive
accents, and Hurst suddenly stops, his
teeth set, his hands clinched tightly, every
nerve in his body quivering with the inten-
sity of the rage and emotion which he can
scarcely control.
''Since you promised last night to be my
wife in a few months, my darling Kathie,"
Mortimer is saying sweetly, "whY should
you object to Fastening our marriage, and
l am compelled TO go without you now,
Kathie, it may be Iong-long year before
| can return to claim YOU"
"But, Eugene" begins Kathie, in her
sweet tones, that have great thrill of
trouble in them.
"But, Katie" he mimlcs, interrupting,
''only think what may happen to delay my
coming backi And only think, darling, how
romantic it will be to elope together and be
far away before any one dreams of our
marriage. You need only to gather up
what jewels and money you may have in
your possession, and when we are really
married, your papa will forgive his pretty
heiress-"
He checks himself suddenly, as If he had
said something unintended, ,andKathie stops
abruptly in her walk.
"Jewelsl heiressr' she echoes in tones
of intense astonishment, "Why, Eugene,
you must be dreaming. am no heiress."
"Then IL Well, never mind that,
darling recovering slightly from his con-
fuson-'rrh glad was mistaken about it.
| love YOU, Kathie," passionately-
do YOU love me well enough to fly with me
now-this very evening"
"Villainl sceundrelp' cries Sidney Hurst,
breaking in upon the scene, his face white,
his voice low and tense with rage unutter-
able. leave this young lady instantly,
and see to it that YOU never again dare to
insult her even by your presence. You,
married manp'
"Marrledw echoed Kathie, family, and
she stagGers forward and leans, white and
trembling, against one of the swaying will
lows.
''It's a liep' cried Mortimer, hoarsely.
SIS it?" retorts Hurst, with desperate
calmness. every well, deny it if you like.
However, your wife is at the hotel down
yonder in the village, and only awaits
signal from me to come up to Willow Lodge
and inform Miss Leigh and all your friends
here who and what you are. Now, you
may go or sthy-until to-morrow-just
which you choose"
For one instant Eugene Mortimer stood
sill and stared at the pale-faced, quiet,
resolute man before him like wild animal
brought to bay.
Then, grinding his heel sayagely in the
grayelly walk beneath, he mutters terrible
imPreeatiopi and swiftly turns away.